Scientists from Northwestern University have developed an innovative and sustainable method regarding the recycling of plastic waste, specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most common polymers in the world.
This approach uses air humidity as a key resource, eliminating the need for solvents and polluting chemical processes.
A clean and efficient process
The method begins with an affordable catalyst that breaks the PET bonds. Once fragmented, the remains are exposed to ambient air, where traces of humidity break down the PET into monomers, the basic components of plastics. These monomers can be recycled into new PET products or even upcycled into more valuable materials, as explained by the researchers.
Published in the journal Green Chemistry, this technique promises a cleaner and safer approach than traditional recycling methods.
Study co-author Yosi Kratish highlighted the advantages of this method: “We harness air humidity to achieve an exceptionally clean and selective process that recovers the PET monomers. This opens up new opportunities for efficient recycling or conversion into more useful materials.”
A solution to the growing plastic problem
PET, commonly used in packaging and bottles, accounts for 12% of plastics used globally and presents serious challenges for decomposition. After use, it often ends up in landfills or breaks down into microplastics that contaminate aquatic ecosystems.
Conventional recycling methods require high energy consumption, extreme temperatures, and toxic solvents, leading to harmful byproducts and high costs. The new solvent-free approach avoids these drawbacks.
Environmental benefits and the future of recycling
Naveen Malik, lead author of the study, emphasized the relevance of this advancement as a response to one of the most urgent environmental challenges: “Our method utilizes the residual humidity from ambient air, making it environmentally friendly and practical for real-world applications.”
The use of this technique could transform plastic recycling by offering a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative, promoting a circular economy that reduces both pollution and waste. This process not only addresses plastic pollution but also emerges as a scalable solution to mitigate the negative impacts of plastic on the environment.
Cover photo: Freepik
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